Welcome to the Historical Society of Orange Park
Let's make our community a better place!
Clarke House Tours
The Clarke House, built in 1912 and located in Clarke House Park, 1039 Kingsley Avenue, is open for tours the second Sunday of each month from 2 PM to 4 PM. Sunday afternoons are the perfect time for a leisurely tour of the house, both upstairs and downstairs.
Orange Park Memories
The Historical Society is highlighting Orange Park businesses each month of 2025, sharing stories each month that feature one very old and one more familiar business in the town. This month we feature Wylie’s Store and the Orange Park Mall.
James and Pauline Wylie came to Orange Park in 1912, having led a life of adventure as circus trapeze artists. They established a store on Kingsley Avenue that became the center of life for the town offering everyday necessities as well as a post office, soda fountain and electric repair shop (added in the 1920s). As the only store in the town for many years, Pauline knew more about its people than anyone.
The Orange Park Mall opened September 24, 1975, and celebrates its 50th anniversary this month! On opening day, traffic was lined up, bumber to bumper, along the newly constructed Wells Road as people from all over the area made their way to the new mall. With Ivey’s, May-Cohens and Sears as anchors, national chains Spencer’s Gifts, Zales, Radio Shack, Frederick’s of Hollywood, Stride-Rite, B. Dalton Bookseller and Body Shop leased space as well. Similar to Wylie’s Store, the Orange Park Mall became a gathering place for the community. People went to the mall for shopping, food, entertainment and social activities. Can you remember the opening? Please share your memories with us at info@ophistory.org.
Clarke House and Cemetery Tours
Private Guided Tours of Historic Clarke House and Magnolia Cemetery Available
Homeschool, civic and social groups are welcome to schedule a free guided tour of the 1913 historic Clarke House and/or Magnolia Cemetery. For more information, contact the Historical Society of Orange Park at info@ophistory.org. Groups will be scheduled based on the availability of guides.
Orange Park Historic Driving Tour
Looking for somewhere to explore or something to do in Clay County? Visit the Explore Clay website, Explore Clay County - Small Towns, Big Passions, for plenty of suggestions.
One of the activities is a tour of historic buildings in Orange Park. This driving tour takes you to 23 historical structures that hold positions of prominence in Orange Park’s history and continue to serve today. Please remember most locations are private residences and should be viewed from the street.
To access the tour visit, download the Explore Clay mobile app from the Explore Clay website or by clicking: Clay County - Mobile App. Once you have the app downloaded, search for the tour then dive into the rich history of Orange Park.
our corporate sponsors
McDonald's
428 Park Avenue and 372 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park
Jacksonville Memory Gardens
111 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park
New Way Hearing Aids
1494 Park Avenue
Orange Park, FL 32073
